Should my 94 yr. old aunt, go in independent living or assisted living if she finds it hard to walk, dress (slowly), or arthritic?
She now falls asleep while standing with her walker because she doesn't get good sleep during the night. She's independent living now, but needs to move.
Assisted Living. Note, standard intake includes interviewing the incoming resident along with their POA/family member(s) in detail about exactly what types of help are needed and in what frequency. Then they assign a level of care (i.e., level 1 through level 4 or 6 or whatever) and get the right aides and services scheduled. The higher the needs/level, the higher the monthly cost of services, which is usually tallied separately from rent and meals.
I would start with assisted living at a facility with the ability to transition to higher level of care if/when necessary. Then you will not have to search frantically when the need arises. With step care levels withing the campus it will be easier on you and her. Assisted living has multiple levels of care at different levels of cost.
The assisted living director will assess your aunt and determine what level of care is necessary. They will tell you that her needs are more or less than what assisted living can do and guide you to a more appropriate setting.
I would keep her in assisted living with a helper in the morning for shower and dressing, also in the evening to get ready for bed. I would also address with her doctor her sleeping problems. My father had the same issues and the doctor changed his sleeping pill to temazepam which did the trick. I encourage assisted living as long as it is safe, it helps mentally that they can still do things on their own. If in time she needs a wheelchair there are very light weight ones that are motorized now, that I see in my Dads assisted living area. As long as she doesn’t have memory problems that would make it unsafe for other residents and herself to operate.
Why don’t you take mom into your home with additional service aids? Then you could monitor her situation, offer suggestions and be close in case of a fall.
If she falls asleep while standing in her walker, how is it that she doesn't fall?
Since falling seems to be what will happen next if she's falling asleep like that, maybe she should be switched to a wheelchair. Being wheelchair-confined brings about other problems, but she seems to be only one fall away from a broken bone, a brain bleed or worse.
Sometimes there are tough decision m to be made. I suggest you call a meeting of her care team at the facility to discuss ASAP.
I would chose Assisted Living for someone like this. They can still live "independently" but have the option to ask for help or help can be offered. If she needs a "little" help it would be there, if she needs more help than you or even she thinks it will be there. She can still do as much as she possibly can now. But at 94 she will begin to need more help not less. So make the transition easier on her and make a 1 time move not another move in 6 months if you find she does need more help
I would discuss this matter with the facility where she currently resides. They have a history with her and know her. You will be especially lucky if they have choices. You certainly can begin at the level of ALF if she is accepted after evaluation by the facility chosen.
I vote for AL, even if she doesn't agree. Hopefully she has a PoA to help get this in place. If you aren't her PoA and she doesn't have one, you may not be able to transition her easily. In this case, consult with the facility admins for guidance.
Assisted living is where she will get help from nurse assistants with dressing , showers etc . As well as a nurse for medications , falls , illnesses . She is in need of this level of care now .
Independent living is just housekeeping and meals . No help with anything else including if she were to fall.
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The assisted living director will assess your aunt and determine what level of care is necessary. They will tell you that her needs are more or less than what assisted living can do and guide you to a more appropriate setting.
I would also address with her doctor her sleeping problems. My father had the same issues and the doctor changed his sleeping pill to temazepam which did the trick.
I encourage assisted living as long as it is safe, it helps mentally that they can still do things on their own. If in time she needs a wheelchair there are very light weight ones that are motorized now, that I see in my Dads assisted living area. As long as she doesn’t have memory problems that would make it unsafe for other residents and herself to operate.
Since falling seems to be what will happen next if she's falling asleep like that, maybe she should be switched to a wheelchair. Being wheelchair-confined brings about other problems, but she seems to be only one fall away from a broken bone, a brain bleed or worse.
Sometimes there are tough decision m to be made. I suggest you call a meeting of her care team at the facility to discuss ASAP.
They can still live "independently" but have the option to ask for help or help can be offered.
If she needs a "little" help it would be there, if she needs more help than you or even she thinks it will be there.
She can still do as much as she possibly can now. But at 94 she will begin to need more help not less. So make the transition easier on her and make a 1 time move not another move in 6 months if you find she does need more help
Independent living is just housekeeping and meals . No help with anything else including if she were to fall.